Reiterating the need for upgradation of Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels, Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Ch Zulfkar Ali today said that an ambitious plan has been formulated by the Government to convert all Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels into residential schools. He said the move is aimed at expanding the ambit of educational facilities for the children of marginalized sections of the society.

Minister stated this while inspecting Gujjar and Bakerwal hostel Reasi. He took a detailed round of each section of hostel including kitchen, library, computer room to take stock of infrastructure and other related facilities available there.

Highlighting the role of these hostels, the Minister said these institutions provide a platform for the children of homeless and marginalized sections for acquiring education. He said the government is placing special focus on overall emancipation of tribal people by putting in place a well knit network of residential schools and other logistic incentives designed for enhancing literacy rates.

Terming education as crucial to socio-economic development, the minister said that innovative efforts are afoot for enhancing tribal accesses to education by all means. He said intake capacity of these hostels has been increased from 75 to 100 besides instructions have been given to the administration to prioritize the education of children of remote and downtrodden families who could not afford such facilities on their own.

Taking note of inadequate infrastructure in Reasi hostel, the Minister asked DC to prepare a proposal for upgradation of library, black-topping of roads outside the hostel premises, purchase of school van adding that government’s priority is to upgrade and equip the hostels with adequate infrastructure to provide better facilities to the boarders.

The minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to pay regular visit to these hostels to ensure proper monitoring. He also asked her to deploy a computer teacher at hostel.

MLA Ajay Nanda, MLC Surinder Choudhary were also present on the occasion.